India’s Pramod Bhagat on Saturday won the country’s fourth Gold medal at the Tokyo Paralympics when he defeated Great Britain’s Daniel Bathell in the badminton men’s singles (SL3) final 21-14, 21-17.
Elsewhere, Manoj Sarkar won a Bronze medal by beating Japan’s Daisuke Fujihara in the third place play-off.
“Pramod Bhagat has won the hearts of the entire nation. He is a Champion, whose success will motivate millions. He showed remarkable resilience & determination. Congratulations to him for winning the Gold in Badminton. Best wishes to him for his future endeavours,” tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
World Champion, and now Paralympics Champion ????
Here's the moment when Pramod Bhagat scripted history. #Gold medallist in #ParaBadminton's first ever edition at the #Paralympics????#Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/DJRYqtldKE
— #Tokyo2020 for India (@Tokyo2020hi) September 4, 2021
Reacting to Sarkar’s victory, Modi wrote, “Overjoyed by @manojsarkar07’s wonderful performance. Congrats to him for bringing home the prestigious Bronze Medal in badminton. Wishing in the very best for the times ahead. #Paralympics #Praise4Para.”
Industrialist Naveen Jindal tweeted, “Congratulations @PramodBhagat83 on winning the Gold medal First place medal for India at the #Paralympics and making every Indian proud.”
Congratulations @PramodBhagat83 on winning the Gold medal ???? for India at the #Paralympics and making every Indian proud. pic.twitter.com/anpLsPC285#Parabadminton #Praise4Para #abjunoonjitega
— Naveen Jindal (@MPNaveenJindal) September 4, 2021
Bhagat was diagnosed with polio when he was just four years of age. He picked up the sports by watching his neighbours play before deciding to become a competitive badminton player in 2006. He was conferred with the coveted Arjuna Award in 2019.
Earlier, Shooters Avani Lekhara and Manish Narwal and javelin thrower Sumit Antil had won India’s three gold medals.
India is currently placed 26th in the medals tally with four Gold, seven Silver and six Bronze medals. India’s best-ever medal haul at the Paralympic Games was in 2016 when the country’s athletes won four medals in Rio.